Catastrophe Recap: Tornadoes, Floods and Windstorms Make a Costly Winter

The U.S. dealt with major flooding and high-speed tornadoes in the winter months, while Europe saw a series of destructive windstorms.

According to the most recent Catastrophe Recap from Aon Benfield, five major severe weather outbreaks impacted the U.S. in February and March, including nearly 60 confirmed tornadoes in the Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic. One tornado was the first EF4 of the year, with wind speeds of 180mph.

Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana were among the hardest hit, with softball-sized hail and high winds damaging homes and businesses.

Thunderstorms resulted in major flooding in California. 200,000 residents were evacuated when Lake Oroville threatened to breach its dam. Major flooding also hit Australia, Chile, Indonesia, Peru, and Zimbabwe.

In Europe, Windstorm Thomas because the costliest windstorm of the year, with an estimated insurance loss topping $105 million USD each in Germany and the UK. Three more windstorms impacted Spain and France.

Major winter weather outbreaks were seen in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where avalanches triggered, claiming more than 200 lives.

In the southern Philippines, a magnitude-6.5 earthquake struck, killing eight and injuring hundreds. The destruction has resulted in losses of $14 million USD and an additional $40 million available for repairs.